Age is just a number

Introduced By

• Monica Moisuc, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, MTU Cork

Speakers

• Dr Sarah Davis - Entrepreneurship at 65 Beyond.
• Dr Donagh Davern - Generational Differences in the Workplace.
• Dr Barry O'Connor, President Emeritus, CIT.

Event Descriptor

Diversity in the workplace has become a popular topic of conversation in recent years, as more progressive movements and views have permeated society and culture. At this point, the need for and benefits of more workplace diversity regarding gender, race and sexual orientation has been well documented. However, age is one dimension of diversity that is equally important in a learning and working environment.

This event celebrates “Age” and offers an insight in generational differences while featuring inspiring talks and experiences of successful MTU professionals. By removing the lens of age as a way to view and label individuals you can shift the focus to their abilities, skills, experience, and knowledge, where it belongs.

Biographies

Dr Sarah Davis has recently joined the Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence in MTU as a senior researcher. She has recently completed her Rísam PhD Study called Smart Ageing and Renewal through Entrepreneurial Skills Training. This study explored overlaps between healthy ageing and older entrepreneurship (for those aged 65 years and over) both conceptually and in practice. A native of Cork with two grown-up daughters, she has previously worked in a variety of roles from engineering, research, retail and administration.

Dr Donagh Davern is a hospitality lecturer, a former hotel General Manager and a qualified accountant. He managed his first hotel, the 5 Star Killarney Park Hotel, at the age of 25 and was awarded the IHI Young Hospitality Manager of the Year for Ireland at that time. He was awarded Fellowship of the Irish Hospitality Institute. Donagh is involved annually in hotel inspections for a national award and he serves as a non-Executive Director for a number of not-for-profit companies.

Dr Barry O’Connor retired as President of Cork Institute of Technology in December 2020, having previously served as Registrar and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Institute. He joined CIT in 2006 as Head of School of Mechanical & Process Engineering. He has extensive experience of the Higher Education sector nationally and internationally. A committed educator, he is currently Chairman of a Primary School Board, Cork’s North Monastery CBS, and served two terms as a member of the Board of Cork College of Commerce, Ireland’s largest Further Education College. Currently engaged on a number of initiatives including collaborative actions on Access to Education and Student Success.